Topic 1 DQ 1
Describe ethnocentrism and the relationship to cultural encapsulation. How will ethnocentrism
influence paraprofessionals in the behavioral health field?
The textbook explains ethnocentrism as having a limited, tunnel vision type idea of the world
because a person uses their personal culture as what a culture should be (Hays & Erford, 2018).
I had to go looking for examples to better understand what was meant by ethnocentrism. An
example that stood out to me is "expecting others to speak English" (Drew, 2022). There are
many other ones that stood out on the website, but this one stood out because I recall recent
articles and stories about American citizens that can speak multiple languages speaking a
language that is not English, and a white American that can only speak English telling them to
go back to their home country.
According to our textbook, ethnocentrism and cultural encapsulation are connected to each
other.
Paraprofessional in the behavioral health field will have to be careful to not be ethnocentric.
When working with a client from a different background, the paraprofessional should take the
time to learn about their background especially since it would hold influence over a person's
views on counseling, therapy, and their mental health. A paraprofessional also does not want to
push their own views on a client or offend a client for their views.
Sources:
Drew, C. (2022, July 4). 14 Best Examples of Ethnocentrism (For Students) (2022). Helpful
Professor. Retrieved October 18, 2022, from https://helpfulprofessor.com/examples-of-
ethnocentrism/
Hays, D., & Erford, B. (2018). Developing multicultural counseling competence: A systems
approach (3rd ed.). Pearson. ISBN-13: 9780134523804
Topic 1 DQ 2
Distinguish between individualistic and collective cultural values. How does each perspective
influence behavioral health?
In individualistic cultures, people act on personal interest and preference; however, in
collective cultures, what the group wants is above what the individual desires (Fatehi et al.,
Describe ethnocentrism and the relationship to cultural encapsulation. How will ethnocentrism
influence paraprofessionals in the behavioral health field?
The textbook explains ethnocentrism as having a limited, tunnel vision type idea of the world
because a person uses their personal culture as what a culture should be (Hays & Erford, 2018).
I had to go looking for examples to better understand what was meant by ethnocentrism. An
example that stood out to me is "expecting others to speak English" (Drew, 2022). There are
many other ones that stood out on the website, but this one stood out because I recall recent
articles and stories about American citizens that can speak multiple languages speaking a
language that is not English, and a white American that can only speak English telling them to
go back to their home country.
According to our textbook, ethnocentrism and cultural encapsulation are connected to each
other.
Paraprofessional in the behavioral health field will have to be careful to not be ethnocentric.
When working with a client from a different background, the paraprofessional should take the
time to learn about their background especially since it would hold influence over a person's
views on counseling, therapy, and their mental health. A paraprofessional also does not want to
push their own views on a client or offend a client for their views.
Sources:
Drew, C. (2022, July 4). 14 Best Examples of Ethnocentrism (For Students) (2022). Helpful
Professor. Retrieved October 18, 2022, from https://helpfulprofessor.com/examples-of-
ethnocentrism/
Hays, D., & Erford, B. (2018). Developing multicultural counseling competence: A systems
approach (3rd ed.). Pearson. ISBN-13: 9780134523804
Topic 1 DQ 2
Distinguish between individualistic and collective cultural values. How does each perspective
influence behavioral health?
In individualistic cultures, people act on personal interest and preference; however, in
collective cultures, what the group wants is above what the individual desires (Fatehi et al.,
